UNICEF and the Global Goals

UNICEF is committed to doing all it can to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in partnership with governments, civil society, business, academia and the United Nations family – and especially children and young people.

FAQ

If I am accepted what kind of work will I be doing?This will depend on the needs of the office to which you are assigned, your qualifications and interests. If you have specific interests or requirements for your university course, you should include this information on the application form. Most interns work on a project or several projects, which will benefit both them and UNICEF, such as research or studies and creating or improving databases and/or Web sites.

How long is the programme?For the internship to be worthwhile and effective, interns will be accepted for a minimum period of six (6) weeks and a maximum of sixteen (16) weeks.

Can I get financial support from UNICEF?Internships at UNICEF are non-remunerative. All successful applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel, lodging and living expenses during the internship period. There are a number of resources for supporting internships. Start the search at your own college.

Do I need to be at the office full-time?While most of our internships are full time, some are not. How long and how often you work in the office depends on the agreement with the supervisor and the project and office you are assigned to. Sometimes there are projects that can be done on a part-time or even ‘virtual’ basis.

When should I apply?As the need for interns varies and is on-going throughout the year, UNICEF does not have any specific periods or deadlines for applications. If you would like to do an internship within a specific time frame, please e-mail your applications at least two to three months in advance. The following timeframes are meant to provide a guide on when to apply Internships for January – May: apply by 1 October Internships for June – August: apply by 1 March Internships for September: apply by 1 JulyWe will contact you if we are able to find you an internship position. If we have not contacted you, you may assume that there is no suitable opening for you at this time.

Prepare the following documents, which you will need if you are called for an interview and later offered an internship:- A letter from your university or institution, certifying your enrolment, course of study and expected date of graduation/degree. - Provide an original, up-to-date university transcript or equivalent institutional record. - Obtain two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from the college professor supervising your internship.- A proof of medical and life insurance coverage.

Should I arrange an interview?No, if UNICEF wants to interview you, either in person or by phone, we will contact you.

Is there anything else I should know?Employment prospects: The UNICEF internship programme is not connected with employment and there should be no expectation of such. Interns cannot apply for posts advertised internally to UNICEF staff during the period of their internship. However, a UNICEF internship is a very positive experience to have on your resume/CV, and is looked at positively when the Intern applies to UNICEF posts later in their careers.Publication of Information: No papers or reports may be published based on information obtained from UNICEF during the internship without the explicit written authorization by the Head of Office or Division Director.Employment at UN and other UN divisions: You may also wish to contact the UN Internship Programme or the UNDP Internship Programme. The UNICEF Internship Programme is independent of the United Nations and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which also provide internships.